Nissan #ProJackets Basketball Report

March 11, 2016

By Wiley Ballard

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Chris Bosh released a statement early this morning stating that he hopes to return for Miami’s playoff run… Derrick Favors drew comparisons to Karl Malone from one NBA head coach after a dominant performance over the weekend … Iman Shumpert made his first start of the season last week and delivered a career night on the glass… All of that and more can be found in this week’s basketball edition of the Nissan #ProJackets Report.

Chris Bosh – After a troublesome February, things are beginning to look up for Heat forward Chris Bosh. The Heat’s leading scorer released a statement through his personal publicist saying that his “situation this year has never been life-threatening.” The Miami Heat have not released a statement as of this post. The forward has averaged 19.1 points and 7.4 rebounds through 53 games, but the blood clot scare halted his season in early February. Miami sits fourth in the Eastern Conference and face the Chicago Bulls tonight at 8 p.m. ET.

Derrick Favors – After a 1-3 week, the Jazz are rapidly losing ground in the Western Conference playoff race. Utah has now lost nine of their last 12 games and trail eighth-place Houston by three games. Derrick Favors plans to provide the necessary intensity to lift his team to their first playoff appearance since 2012. Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey recently compared Favors to that of ex-Jazz big man Karl Malone calling him a “physical, nasty, hard-playing, athletic power forward.” The Jazz host the Washington Wizards tonight at 9 p.m. ET.

Jarrett Jack – Jarrett Jack underwent season-ending knee surgery in Manhattan this past January. Officially diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, the point guard anticipates a full recovery and plans to return for the 2016-17 season. Jack’s season averages in 32 games as the Brooklyn Nets starting point guard were 12.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg and a team-high 7.4 apg.

Anthony Morrow – Wednesday night, Anthony Morrow took the floor for the first time in nearly three weeks for Oklahoma City. The wingman added five points, one rebound and one assist in a 120-108 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Morrow’s playing time still suffers from a deep Thunder bench that includes Dion Waiters and Kyle Singler. The Thunder welcome the Timberwolves to Chesapeake Energy Arena tonight at 8 p.m. ET.

Iman Shumpert – In Cleveland, the home of LeBron James, the media spotlight shines perpetually on the Cavaliers. This past week, Shumpert’s ravenous play captivated the local scribes. His career-high 16 rebounds were highlighted here. His role in Cleveland’s small ball lineup was discussed here. And the local NBC-affiliate, WKCY, praised the small forward as a do-it-all player here. The national pundits still view Cleveland as one of the few challengers to Golden State’s throne entering Friday night with a conference-best 45-18 record.

Thaddeus Young – The Brooklyn Nets, 18-46, have long been out of playoff contention in the East and gave Thaddeus Young a night off last week in the interest of their long term future. The nine-year veteran has turned in another blue collar season in the front court averaging 15.0 points per game and 9.0 rebounds per game including 25 double-doubles in 63 games. The Nets visit their fellow cellar-dweller Philadelphia tonight at 7 p.m. ET.